Thoughts from your Regional Minister
By Renee Bridwell
College of Regional Ministers has been talking about standardizing our common activities, rather than developing processes in 30 different ways. This free-flowing conversation evolved over time into talk of the things that Regional Ministers should expect of one another, especially as related to common tasks like reports, financial administration, and facilitating the search process for congregations seeking pastors. From that, a document has grown that we didn’t realize we needed: An Ethical Covenant for Regional Ministers.
Your Regional Ministers are signing this document, in the accompanying photo (right). With our signatures, we pledge ourselves to high standards in our work as Regional Ministers, and to mutual accountability within the College.
The three of us already operate as a mutually accountable roundtable, calling each other to our best work and to the good of the Christian Church in Kansas. This Ethical Covenant for RMs expands that circle of accountability to our colleagues throughout the whole church.
Most provisions of this document are already native to CCK. It establishes high standards for financial practices. It expects promptness and fairness in facilitating pastoral searches. It expects Regional Ministers to tend to their physical, mental, social, financial, and spiritual well-being in order to serve well, according to the Policies and Criteria for the Order of Ministry.
Most of all, it expects Regional Ministers to take seriously, their role as leaders of the whole church and partners for the General Minister and President, who we treat as a partner adviser with respect to regional matters–similar to ways that Regional Ministers are partner advisers to pastors and leaders.
Pray for us, as we pray for you, that the ministry God has placed in our hands will be fruitful.